Life. Unexpected.

Normally I’d be knee-deep in wrapping paper and staring at my list to figure out when to start cooking Christmas dinner. This year is different. This year not only is my youngest firmly out of believing in Santa….fevers and colds have struck down our family. Christmas dinner is cancelled.

The unexpected blessing is a slowed down holiday. A vat of chicken soup isn’t the same as hosting a big holiday meal shared with friends and family, but it is a simple gift of healing and caring. The time I’d normally spend on meal prep has gone to making fresh coffee cake (whenever they get out of bed) and peppermint-chocolate cookies (a Christmas experiment that seems to be going right!). Creativity gifts help keep Christmas day feeling special.

Depending how late everyone sleeps, I’ll get some quality time on revisions—my current project has a due date in early January. Time is a wonderful gift.

Perhaps we’ll have everyone over to celebrate New Years. Or Russian Christmas (January 7). But today I will cherish the unexpected gift of time and caring. And may you enjoy peace and happiness this holiday season—whatever you celebrate.

Have you had an unexpected happening this holiday season? Tell me in the comments below.